Hints and tips for surviving university from cooking tips to making friends to beauty and lifestyle

Thursday, 1 August 2013

Top 10 tips for surviving freshers week

So everyone knows that freshers is a big deal at uni and there is partying and drinking involved. But no one actually tells you everything that goes on and there's actually a lot that you need to know. So here are the 10 things I think everybody needs to know before heading off to uni and in their first week :)

1. Open door policy- on moving day you may not know anyone at your new university and may find it difficult to start a conversation with your new flat mates. My advice for this is to get a doorstop, whether its a tiny wedge, a crate of beers or even a novelty doorstop (photo)

This way people can see you and say hello and you may find it easier to talk to them whilst you're settling in, it's also good to be able to hear people turning up and maybe give them a hand moving in, a great way to start conversations

2. Be prepared - there are so many ways to find out stuff about your freshers week and even talk to a few people to get used to meeting new people. Go on Facebook or other social networking sites and search for your uni's fresher page! There will be lots of info about the events happening, chances to get tickets, ask questions, learn themes for fancy dress and lots of other tips from current students. This helped me so much before freshers week as I was told everything happening in the week and even got to speak to a few people who were on my course to ask questions and feel more confident

3. Ready steady cook - when you're at uni you don't have your mum or dad to cook for you and no matter what anyone says you can't live on beans on toast for 3 years!! So over the summer get cooking! Ask your parents for some easy and cheap recipes. I've even uploaded some easy recipes like a simple bolognese and a stir fry. A lot of people I know offer to cook for their flats so it would be good if you had a few recipes up your sleeve to impress your friends, maybe suggest cooking for eachother every sunday... Also you need to stay healthy and eating well is the best way to keep you fit and happy

4. First aid 101- no matter how healthy you think you are there is about a 90% chance that sometime in the first few weeks you will get freshers flu! This flu is only slightly worse than a cold but if you're also hungover it feels like the end of the world. My advice is to prepare for illness and injury in advance with a mini first aid kit. I will post this in more detail but you will definitely need beroca for energy or any glucose tablet, some plasters (particularly for girls as you'll probably be in heels a lot) and ibruprofen for those hangovers. This way you're prepared for the worst!!!

5. Know your limits - Chances are you will be drinking quite a lot at university, more than you have before and probably everyday. There are lots of drinking games too that at some points make you drink a lot. But only you know how much you can tolerate and when you feel ill. And remember, you've only just met these people and they won't want to spend their night looking after everybody - but don't worry if you are ill people will look after you!!! But if you start to feel ill, STOP DRINKING, get yourself some air and a glass of water. You need to pace yourself throughout the week and it will be expensive to go out and buy drinks so not getting too drunk every night will work in your favour. Another very important tip - eat dinner before you start drinking, line your stomach, just because you want to get drunk, doesn't mean you should get hammered every night!

6. Try something new - university is all about diversity and getting involved. My advice to you all would be to go to your freshers fair and join societies you like but also join one that provides something you've never tried before, perhaps a new sport, hobby or even a language. There are so many different societies and its a great way to meet new people and make friends. Also if you get invited to watch comedians, an open mic night or just to play pool, join in. You never know you may get to like a new band or a new hobby!

7. Fancy dress- Most universities have dressing up nights during freshers and some universities have regular themed nights. So before you head off to uni buy some fancy dress stuff. A onesie would be very useful and also fancy dress outfits like animals, pirates,a Superhero etc. Also invest in some face paints, there a good way to make your costume better and it's also a fun way to spend time with your flat when you're getting ready for a night out.

8. Get to know the area - whether you live in a city or on a campus you need to learn the area. Take a walk in the first few days to where your lecture theatres are and find an easy route and see how long it takes. Also make sure you can recognise the buildings around you so that you could find your way home on a night out if you ever end up alone. It's also good to know where the nearest shop is if you ever need anything in a hurry

9. Money money money - Budgeting is going to take up a lot ofyour time at uni. During freshers work out about how much you need to spend on food and nights out a week. Also remember that you WILL spend more money in freshers week than any other at university You'll have to buy books, pay memberships for societies and entry to events. In freshers fair every society will ask for a bit of money to sign up to their group, so limit yourself to how many you pay for on the day. Most societies allow you to try their activity out first so make sure you like it before you pay! Also for nights out, NEVER take your bank card with you, make sure you have a sufficient amount at the start of the night for a few drinks and taxi money hidden somewhere (inside your phonecase perhaps)

10. Relax and enjoy- Freshers week goes very quickly so make the most of it!!! Don't stress and just have fun making new friends and your new found independence!!!!!!

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About Me

Hello guys!I'm a 19 year old student studying Spanish and Italian at Lancaster University in the UK! I love all things beauty, fashion, lifestyle and cooking so thought I'd bring it all together in this blog :) Hope you enjoy reading it!